* (00:00) FTC suing Adobe for hiding fees and difficult cancellations

* (02:59) The high costs of being a freelance creative

* (08:11) The need for an all-in-one service for freelancers

In a concerning development for freelance creatives, Adobe finds itself in hot water once again.

The FTC is suing the company for hiding fees and making it difficult for users to cancel subscriptions - even charging cancellation fees.

This comes on the heels of revelations that Adobe can train its AI on users' artwork.

As the costs of essential tools like Adobe Creative Suite, media libraries, website hosting, and generative AI mount, the financial burden on freelancers is becoming unsustainable, especially for those just starting out.

It's time to reevaluate the industry's reliance on subscriptions and consider alternatives that don't exploit the "starving artist" model.

Key Takeaways:

* Adobe is being sued by the FTC for hiding fees and making it difficult to cancel subscriptions

* Freelance creatives face mounting costs for essential tools like software, media libraries, website hosting, and AI

* The subscription economy is making it increasingly difficult for new freelancers to afford the tools needed to compete

* There is a need for all-in-one solutions that provide affordable access to necessary resources for freelancers

Resources Mentioned:

* Reuters article on FTC suing Adobe

Quotable Quotes:

* "Adobe is not in the business of you creating artwork. They're in the business of you not owning anything... and training their models."

* "It's like the model has to buy all the makeup and to get the plastic surgery just to have a shot at the industry. That's where we're at right now."

* "Clients just expect you to have this... Not everyone has that money. The starving artist, not every starving artist has that bank account."

* "Creators are taking a lot of hits right now... This is a negative."

* "There needs to be an all in one service for this... because too many companies are taking advantage of the starving artist model."

Discussion Questions:

* What has been your experience with subscription-based creative tools? Have you encountered hidden fees or cancellation issues?

* How can freelancers push back against the mounting costs and exploitative practices in the industry?

* What would an ideal all-in-one platform for freelance creatives look like? What tools and resources should it include?

* (00:38) The transformative experience of working remotely abroad

* (03:08) Why an American salary goes further overseas

* (08:13) Choosing freedom over grinding in your 20s

In a world transformed by remote work opportunities, your early career years offer an unprecedented chance for adventure.

Imagine editing videos from a villa in Indonesia or collaborating on TikToks from the heart of Europe - all while earning a US salary that stretches further than you ever thought possible.

Embrace the freedom to explore new cultures, make global connections, and gain a fresh perspective on what really matters in life.

Discover why working remotely abroad in your 20s might just be the most rewarding way to spend this unique phase.

And why it's more accessible than you think.

Key Takeaways:

* Working remotely abroad in your early career allows you to enjoy freedom, new experiences, and a great lifestyle without needing a high salary.

* The US dollar goes much further in many countries, allowing you to live well even on a modest income.

* Traveling and working abroad in your 20s provides unique opportunities and perspective that become harder to access later in life.

Quotable Quotes:

* "Why not just skip the BS, work your job, and go travel and live wherever you want? Because that's all anyone wants to be doing at age 23..."

* "If you're on an American salary of 60,000 a year... You go to Japan, and you feel like you're one of the richest people there."

* "...this is only possible by the advent of remote work. And I'm a big proponent of remote work because of this..."

* "...the best way you can spend your post college years... is to live abroad where things are much cheaper."

* "That is the new American dream... editing TikToks from 5, 50 different countries and come back and go, I had an amazing experience."

Discussion Questions:

* What's holding you back from working remotely abroad in your 20s, and how could you overcome those obstacles?

* How do you think immersing yourself in new cultures while working remotely could impact your personal and professional growth?

* If you could work remotely from anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?

* Upwork allows freelancers to secure work quickly, often within 72 hours of applying or being invited to a job.

* Investing in Upwork Connects is a small price to pay for skipping the lengthy traditional job search process.

* Building a strong profile on Upwork can lead to a steady stream of work and the ability to secure gigs whenever needed.

Fast-Track Your Freelance Career with Upwork's Paid Tokens

In today's fast-paced, gig-based creative industry, traditional job searches can be lengthy and frustrating.

However, platforms like Upwork offer a quicker alternative.

By investing in Upwork Connects, you can skip the line and land contracts within 72 hours. While it may seem counterintuitive to pay for job applications, the long-term benefits far outweigh the minimal costs.

Building a strong profile on Upwork can lead to a steady stream of work and the ability to secure gigs whenever you need them. In an industry where job security is scarce, embracing the speed game of freelance platforms can be a game-changer for your career.

Resources Mentioned:

* Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/

Quotable Quotes:

* "Upwork is the fast game. Fiverr is the fast game. It is very quick. Literally from AM to pm." (02:00)

* "Most of my contracts that are active where I've worked on Upwork have been closed within 72 hours." (03:37)

* "You are paying in connects to skip the line. And you're not paying that much, by the way." (04:09)

* "The world is a speed game now. The world is freelance." (06:45)

* "...whenever you feel like it, go on Upwork. I'm at this point now, guys, where I can literally just go on Upwork and just get whatever freaking job I want." (07:55)

Discussion Questions:

* Have you ever used Upwork or a similar freelance platform? If so, what was your experience like?

* How do you think the rise of gig-based work and freelance platforms is changing the creative industry?

* In your opinion, what are the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to invest in a platform like Upwork?

DM me on Twitter.

Timestamps:

* (02:00) Upwork and Fiverr allow for quick job turnaround

* (03:37) Most Upwork contracts close within 72 hours

* (07:55) Having a strong Upwork profile allows for easy job acquisition

Many clients today don't have a lot of money to hire a big team.

They need people who can do a bunch of different things. "You have to have multiple skills and be a jack of all trades in a way." If you can handle social media, marketing, and writing on top of your main skill, you'll get more work and become the person everyone wants on their project.

Think about it - if you know how to write a good script or a good Facebook ad on top of being able to edit videos, that's huge.

"If you know how to write a good script... if you know how to write a good Facebook ad... That is so valuable."

At the end of the day, clients care about getting results.

But a lot of times, digital artists make the mistake of only focusing on their main skills and ignoring everything else. "A lot of times the mistake... digital artists [make] is... they zone in just on their skills and not the auxiliary skills."

The truth is, "If you have those three skills to complement your video editing, you will be so much more valuable in the marketplace."

So if you want to do well in the digital media world, don't just stick to what you already know. Keep learning new things, especially about social media, marketing, and writing.

It'll pay off big time.

Takeaways

* Social media management and content ideation skills are crucial for working with clients on a budget

* Understanding marketing, especially paid media like Facebook ads, makes you more valuable

* Scripting, writing and copywriting abilities allow you to fill multiple roles for a client

Quotable Quotes

1. "You have to have multiple skills and be a jack of all trades in a way."

2. "If you know how to write a good script... if you know how to write a good Facebook ad... That is so valuable."

3. "Clients, at the end of the day, want results... Whether that is followers on Twitter, or that is money in their pocket from Facebook ads."

4. "A lot of times the mistake... digital artists [make] is... they zone in just on their skills and not the auxiliary skills."

Discussion

1. What other complementary skills do you think are valuable for a digital media professional to have?

2. How have auxiliary skills beyond your core technical abilities helped you in your career?

3. Which of the three skills discussed - social media, marketing, or copywriting - do you think is most important and why?

Timestamps

(03:19) Importance of social media management skills

(04:13) Value of marketing knowledge

(06:11) Power of scripting and copywriting abilities

* Adobe exploiting user content

* Enabling AI training without consent

* Undermining creators' intellectual property

Timestamps:

(00:23) - Adobe's controversial terms of service change

(02:12) - Adobe's motivations for accessing user content

(04:07) - Business implications for Adobe's decision

Adobe's recent move to grant themselves the right to use user content for AI training purposes has sparked outrage.

The company's controversial update to their terms of service essentially allows them to exploit creators' work without consent or compensation.

Adobe's true motivation is clear – to cut costs and fuel their AI ambitions by leveraging the files users create within their software. This brazen exploitation of user data raises serious ethical concerns and undermines the intellectual property rights of creators.

While a shrewd business move for Adobe, it comes at the expense of the very individuals who fuel their platform's success.

Creators must now grapple with the harsh reality that their art may become a mere commodity for Adobe's AI endeavors.

Are you a founder ready to hire your first video editor? Stop.

Read this first.

❌ Don’t get burned by hiring the wrong editor.

❌ Avoid those nightmare hires that sink startups.

📖 The Founder's Guide to Hiring Video Editors

Inside, you'll discover:

* ✅ The 5 Stages of Your Video Team

* ✅ Fiverr vs. Freelancers vs. Full-time

* ✅ How much to pay your video editors?

* ✅ Interview Questions & Examples

* ✅ When to Fire Your Video Editors

* ✅ The Perfect Job Listing Template

This comprehensive guide, written by expert video editors, will give you the confidence and know-how to scale your video team effectively. 💪

Download your copy now! 👉 link

* Juggling multiple client projects

* Balancing work and self-care

* Learning French as a hobby

—

(00:00) - Introduction and day overview

(01:07) - Working on client projects

(02:30) - Importance of language learning

As a freelancer, it's all about striking that perfect balance between hustling hard and taking care of yourself.

I make sure to devote serious focus to my client work - whether it's designing logos, editing videos, or producing commercials.

But I also prioritize getting exercise by going for runs, and feeding my intellectual curiosities through dedicated language study.

French has been my passion project for the last year, and even though it's totally unrelated to my work, I can't turn back now.

At the end of the day, living the freelance life is about more than just grinding away.

It's about creating a lifestyle that combines professional drive with personal enrichment. By juggling my client work, physical activity, and passion projects, I'm striving to lead a balanced and fulfilling life on my own terms.

It's a hustle, but it's also deeply rewarding.

* Dad hit me with a huge college bill out of nowhere in junior year

* Had to either drop out or grind like crazy to pay for it

* Went all-in on video editing, hustled 24/7, and aimed for big contracts

* Paid off all my debt, built a killer work ethic, and now I'm living my best life

(00:24) - The moment that changed everything for me in college

(02:44) - My game plan for making bank in video editing

(04:23) - The non-stop grind of 2022 and how it shaped me

(05:48) - Why you need to get uncomfortable to grow and succeed

❌ Don’t get burned by hiring the wrong editor.

❌ Avoid those nightmare hires that sink startups.

📖 The Founder's Guide to Hiring Video Editors

Inside, you'll discover:

* ✅ The 5 Stages of Your Video Team

* ✅ Fiverr vs. Freelancers vs. Full-time

* ✅ How much to pay your video editors?

* ✅ Interview Questions & Examples

* ✅ When to Fire Your Video Editors

* ✅ The Perfect Job Listing Template

This comprehensive guide, written by expert video editors, will give you the confidence and know-how to scale your video team effectively. 💪

Download your copy now! 👉 link

(02:30) Freelancing and opportunity advice

(04:10) Start freelancing early, in college

(06:20) Final thoughts, start now

If you’re a startup founder…

And you want to hire a video editor - stop & read this first.

❌ Don’t get burned by hiring the wrong editor.

❌ Avoid those nightmare hires that sink startups.

📖 The Founder's Guide to Hiring Video Editors

Inside, you'll discover:

* ✅ The 5 Stages of Your Video Team

* ✅ Fiverr vs. Freelancers vs. Full-time

* ✅ How much to pay your video editors?

* ✅ Interview Questions & Examples

* ✅ When to Fire Your Video Editors

* ✅ The Perfect Job Listing Template

This comprehensive guide, written by expert video editors, will give you the confidence and know-how to scale your video team effectively. 💪

Download for free: https://niceslicestudio.com/training/hiring-guide

* Jordan, the co-founder, successfully used voice DMs to sell his course and build connections

* Nice Slice Studio will focus on starting conversations and making friends to acquire clients

* Most of Doran's freelance work came from conversations and relationships, not pitching

* Position yourself as an expert, be passionate, and make connections in the right spaces

(0:50) - Jordan's successful relationship-building strategy

(2:07) - Replace pitching with conversations

(4:27) - Importance of equal power balance in conversations

(6:25) - Personal example of landing a client through conversation

If you’re a startup founder…

And you want to hire a video editor - stop & read this first.

❌ Don’t get burned by hiring the wrong editor.

❌ Avoid those nightmare hires that sink startups.

📖 The Founder's Guide to Hiring Video Editors

Inside, you'll discover:

* ✅ The 5 Stages of Your Video Team

* ✅ Fiverr vs. Freelancers vs. Full-time

* ✅ How much to pay your video editors?

* ✅ Interview Questions & Examples

* ✅ When to Fire Your Video Editors

* ✅ The Perfect Job Listing Template

This comprehensive guide, written by expert video editors, will give you the confidence and know-how to scale your video team effectively. 💪

Download your copy now! 👉 link

• AI is likely to replace simple video editing tasks like assembly, captions, and quick edits

• Complex motion graphics, animation, and custom design are harder for AI to replicate well

• Video editors should focus on elevating their skills in After Effects and advanced techniques

• Graphic designers need to create templates and designs superior to stock options like Canva

• Adding unique design elements that are difficult for AI can help designers stay competitive

(2:15) - Discussion of how AI will replace simple video editing tasks begins

(4:35) - Focuses on importance of learning complex motion graphics and animation skills

(7:49) - Advice for graphic designers to create templates superior to Canva and others

* Video editor pay varies in the arts, but there's good money in digital media.

* Positioning oneself and knowing where the money is key to higher pay rates.

* Building experience and starting with low rates is necessary to reach higher pay levels.

(02:38) - The host's personal experience with pay as a video editor.

(07:22)- The host's total earnings in 2023, combining salary and freelance work.

(09:10) - Realistic salary expectations for a good video editor and the possibility of making six figures by combining freelance and full-time work.

I never thought I’d see six-figures

Video editor salaries in 2024 can vary greatly, especially in the digital media space. My personal journey began with charging $15 an hour on Upwork, but through a combination of salary and freelance work, I managed to make $120,000 in 2023.

Knowing Where the Money Is

Positioning yourself well and understanding where the money is in this industry is crucial.

Working in paid media, where video editors play a key role in driving sales, is where you can really maximize your earnings potential.

I even managed to negotiate an $80,000 salary at a startup.

Climbing the Ladder

Skilled video editors have the potential to charge at least $40 an hour on platforms like Upwork and can command a salary of $70,000 or more.

However, it's important to invest time in learning your craft, honing your skills, and be open to starting with lower-paying gigs to build up your experience before you can start demanding those higher rates.

* Work with bigger budgets

* Clients justify your value

* Gain valuable marketing experience

* Applicable across digital media roles

In this episode, I dive into the specific lane within digital media that has helped me the most in my career and can help you too: paid media.

I explain why editing for paid media, such as Facebook ads or TV commercials, can lead to higher pay and better opportunities compared to organic content. I share my experiences working with companies like DraftKings and SamCart, and how their marketing budgets and focus on ROI allowed me to command higher rates.

I emphasize that this principle applies to various roles within the digital media landscape, from graphic design to copywriting.

(00:00) Intro

(01:14) What is paid media?

(02:28) Why paid media pays better than organic

(04:50) My experience with paid media clients

(06:23) Paid media principles apply to other digital media roles

(07:49) Outro

In this episode, I share my insights on how aspiring video editors and graphic designers can make real money and build a successful career without attending film school.

I emphasize the importance of freelancing through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, as well as reaching out to local businesses. I explain how freelancing not only provides better pay and flexibility but also helps improve skills and build valuable connections.

I share my personal experience of landing my first full-time job through freelancing and encourage listeners to take this route for quicker success and better opportunities.

(00:37) - The reality of making money in video editing and graphic design

(01:49) - The benefits of freelancing: better pay, skill improvement, and connections

(06:10) - Freelancing vs. traditional job hunting: less competition, quicker results, and better opportunities

🍰 Go to https://niceslicestudio.com/